c1Vocabulary Pack

Idioms & Expressions

Everyday idioms and set phrases that don't translate literally.

85 words

English vocabulary

Definitions in

Add to my library

85 words

Definitions in: English

Same-language deck – the back side will show definitions, and example sentences will hide the target word.

1
the ball is in your courtidiomneutral
Said when it is now someone else's turn or responsibility to take action or make a decision.
I've made my offer, so now the ball is in your court.
I've made my offer, so now it's your turn to decide.
2
beat around the bushidiomneutralinformal
Used to describe talking around a topic without addressing it directly, often to avoid discomfort.
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what actually happened.
Stop avoiding the subject and tell me what actually happened.
3
the elephant in the roomidiomneutral
Refers to an obvious problem or sensitive issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss.
Nobody wanted to mention the layoffs, but it was the elephant in the room during the whole meeting.
Nobody wanted to mention the layoffs, but it was the obvious unspoken issue during the whole meeting.
4
cut to the chaseidiominformal
Used to ask someone to get straight to the important point without preamble.
We don't have much time, so let me cut to the chase.
We don't have much time, so let me get straight to the point.
5
a blessing in disguiseidiomneutral
Describes a misfortune that turns out to have unexpected benefits.
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise — it pushed me to start my own business.
Losing that job turned out to be a good thing in the end — it pushed me to start my own business.
6
once in a blue moonidiominformal
Used to describe something that happens very rarely.
My brother lives abroad, so we only see each other once in a blue moon.
My brother lives abroad, so we only see each other very rarely.
7
speak of the devilidiominformal
Said when a person appears just as they are being talked about.
We were just talking about you — speak of the devil!
We were just talking about you — and here you are!
8
the last strawidiomneutral
Refers to the final problem in a series that makes a situation unbearable.
When he showed up late again, that was the last straw and I quit.
When he showed up late again, that was the final problem I could tolerate and I quit.
9
cost an arm and a legidiominformal
Used to say that something is extremely expensive.
That handbag is gorgeous, but it costs an arm and a leg.
That handbag is gorgeous, but it's extremely expensive.
10
barking up the wrong treeidiominformal
Used when someone is pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action or accusing the wrong person.
If you think I took your stapler, you're barking up the wrong tree.
If you think I took your stapler, you're blaming the wrong person.
11
the best of both worldsidiomneutral
Describes a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two different things at once.
Working from home two days a week gives me the best of both worlds.
Working from home two days a week gives me the advantages of both arrangements.
12
let the cat out of the bagidiominformal
Used when someone accidentally reveals a secret.
It was supposed to be a surprise party, but Tom let the cat out of the bag.
It was supposed to be a surprise party, but Tom accidentally revealed the secret.
13
hit the nail on the headidiominformal
Used when someone describes or identifies something exactly and accurately.
You hit the nail on the head — that's exactly what's been bothering me.
You identified it exactly — that's precisely what's been bothering me.
14
a piece of cakeidiominformal
Used to say that something is very easy to do.
Don't worry about the exam — it'll be a piece of cake for you.
Don't worry about the exam — it'll be very easy for you.
15
burn the midnight oilidiomneutral
Used to describe working or studying late into the night.
I've been burning the midnight oil to get this report finished.
I've been working late into the night to get this report finished.
16
the tip of the icebergidiomneutral
Refers to a small, visible part of a much larger problem.
These complaints are just the tip of the iceberg.
These complaints are only a small part of a much bigger problem.
17
throw in the towelidiominformal
Used when someone gives up or admits defeat, originally from boxing.
After three failed attempts, she was ready to throw in the towel.
After three failed attempts, she was ready to give up.
18
under the weatheridiominformal
Used to say that someone feels slightly ill or unwell.
I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I might skip the party.
I'm feeling a bit unwell, so I might skip the party.
19
break the iceidiomneutral
Used to describe doing or saying something to relieve tension and start a conversation among strangers.
He told a joke to break the ice at the start of the meeting.
He told a joke to ease the tension at the start of the meeting.
20
pull someone's legidiominformal
Used to describe teasing or joking with someone by telling them something untrue.
Relax, I'm just pulling your leg — you didn't really fail.
Relax, I'm just teasing you — you didn't really fail.
21
spill the beansidiominformal
Used to describe revealing secret information, often prompting someone to tell what they know.
Come on, spill the beans — what did he say about the promotion?
Come on, tell me everything — what did he say about the promotion?
22
on the same pageidiomneutral
Used to describe people who share the same understanding or agreement about something.
Before we move forward, let's make sure we're all on the same page.
Before we move forward, let's make sure we all share the same understanding.
23
the bottom lineidiomneutral
Refers to the most important point or the essential factor in a discussion.
The bottom line is that we can't afford it right now.
The essential point is that we can't afford it right now.
24
kill two birds with one stoneidiomneutralinformal
Used to describe accomplishing two goals with a single action.
If I cycle to work, I kill two birds with one stone: I save money and get fit.
If I cycle to work, I achieve two things at once: I save money and get fit.
25
the grass is always greener on the other sideproverbneutral
Used to express that other people's situations always seem better than one's own.
She regretted changing jobs — the grass is always greener on the other side.
She regretted changing jobs — other situations always look better until you're in them.
26
don't count your chickens before they hatchproverbneutral
A warning not to rely on something good happening before it actually does.
You might get the job, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.
You might get the job, but don't assume it until it's confirmed.
27
the early bird catches the wormproverbneutral
Used to say that those who act promptly or arrive early have an advantage.
Get there before the sale opens — the early bird catches the worm.
Get there before the sale opens — those who arrive early get the best deals.
28
to add insult to injuryidiomneutral
Used to introduce something that makes a bad situation even worse.
They cancelled my flight, and to add insult to injury, they lost my luggage.
They cancelled my flight, and to make things even worse, they lost my luggage.
29
to cost a pretty pennyidiominformal
Used to say that something is quite expensive.
That vintage car must have cost a pretty penny.
That vintage car must have been quite expensive.
30
to be a far cry fromidiomneutral
Used to say that something is very different from, and usually inferior to, something else.
This cramped flat is a far cry from the house we had before.
This cramped flat is very different from the house we had before.
31
to jump on the bandwagonidiomneutral
Used to describe joining an activity or trend because it has become popular or successful.
Once the diet went viral, everyone jumped on the bandwagon.
Once the diet went viral, everyone joined in because it was popular.
32
to be left high and dryidiomneutral
Used to describe being left in a difficult situation without help or resources.
When the contractor disappeared, we were left high and dry with a half-built kitchen.
When the contractor disappeared, we were left stranded with a half-built kitchen.
33
to read between the linesidiomneutral
Used to describe understanding a hidden or implied meaning beyond the literal words.
She didn't say no outright, but reading between the lines, she's not interested.
She didn't say no outright, but understanding the implied meaning, she's not interested.
34
to bend over backwardsidiominformal
Used to describe making a great effort to help or please someone.
The staff bent over backwards to make our stay comfortable.
The staff made every possible effort to make our stay comfortable.
35
to have a chip on your shoulderidiominformal
Used to describe someone who is resentful or easily offended, often because they feel they've been treated unfairly.
He's had a chip on his shoulder ever since he was passed over for promotion.
He's been resentful ever since he was passed over for promotion.
36
to cut cornersidiomneutral
Used to describe doing something cheaply or quickly by neglecting proper procedures, often at the expense of quality.
The builders clearly cut corners — the roof is already leaking.
The builders clearly did substandard work to save money — the roof is already leaking.
37
to be the spitting image ofidiominformal
Used to say that someone looks exactly like another person.
She's the spitting image of her mother at that age.
She looks exactly like her mother did at that age.
38
to go down a rabbit holeidiominformal
Used to describe getting absorbed in an increasingly complex or distracting pursuit, often online.
I started reading one article and went down a rabbit hole for three hours.
I started reading one article and got absorbed in related topics for three hours.
39
to be a piece of workidiominformalpejorative
Used, often disapprovingly, to describe a difficult, unpleasant, or unusual person.
Her new boss is really a piece of work — rude to everyone.
Her new boss is a really unpleasant person — rude to everyone.
40
to throw someone under the busidiominformal
Used to describe betraying or sacrificing someone to protect or benefit oneself.
When the project failed, the manager threw his team under the bus.
When the project failed, the manager blamed his team to save himself.
41
to be par for the courseidiomneutral
Used to say that something, usually negative, is normal or expected in a given situation.
Delays are par for the course with that airline.
Delays are normal and to be expected with that airline.
42
to bite off more than you can chewidiominformal
Used to describe taking on a task that is too big or difficult to manage.
By agreeing to three projects at once, she bit off more than she could chew.
By agreeing to three projects at once, she took on more than she could handle.
43
to let sleeping dogs lieproverbneutral
Used to advise leaving a situation alone to avoid stirring up trouble.
I wouldn't mention the old argument — best to let sleeping dogs lie.
I wouldn't mention the old argument — best to leave the matter alone.
44
to have your cake and eat it tooidiominformal
Used to describe wanting two incompatible things at the same time.
You can't have a lie-in and arrive early — you can't have your cake and eat it too.
You can't sleep in and arrive early — you can't have it both ways.
45
to be a blessing and a curseidiomneutral
Used to describe something that has both significant advantages and disadvantages.
Working from home is a blessing and a curse — comfortable but isolating.
Working from home has both upsides and downsides — comfortable but isolating.
46
to take the bull by the hornsidiomneutral
Used to describe dealing with a difficult situation in a direct and confident way.
Instead of complaining, she took the bull by the horns and renegotiated the contract.
Instead of complaining, she confronted the problem directly and renegotiated the contract.
47
to be caught between a rock and a hard placeidiominformal
Used to describe being faced with two equally undesirable choices.
I'm caught between a rock and a hard place — quit a job I hate or lose my income.
I'm facing two equally bad options — quit a job I hate or lose my income.
48
to give someone the benefit of the doubtidiomneutral
Used to describe choosing to believe someone's account or assume good intentions despite uncertainty.
He was late again, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt this once.
He was late again, but I'll assume he had a good reason this once.
49
to be water under the bridgeidiominformal
Used to describe past events or conflicts that are over and no longer worth worrying about.
We had our disagreements, but that's all water under the bridge now.
We had our disagreements, but that's all in the past now.
50
to go the extra mileidiomneutral
Used to describe making more effort than is expected or required.
Our team always goes the extra mile for important clients.
Our team always makes extra effort for important clients.
51
to be born with a silver spoon in your mouthidiominformal
Used to describe someone born into a wealthy and privileged family.
He's never had to work — born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
He's never had to work — born into wealth and privilege.
52
to play devil's advocateidiomneutral
Used to describe arguing an opposing position for the sake of debate, not necessarily out of personal belief.
Just to play devil's advocate, what if the plan fails?
Just to argue the opposite side for discussion, what if the plan fails?
53
to be on cloud nineidiominformal
Used to describe being extremely happy.
Ever since she got engaged, she's been on cloud nine.
Ever since she got engaged, she's been extremely happy.
54
to cry over spilt milkidiominformal
Used to advise against being upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
The money's gone; there's no use crying over spilt milk.
The money's gone; there's no use regretting what can't be changed.
55
to bury the hatchetidiominformal
Used to describe making peace and ending a quarrel or conflict.
After years of rivalry, the two brothers finally buried the hatchet.
After years of rivalry, the two brothers finally made peace.
56
to be the best thing since sliced breadidiominformalhumorous
Used, often with light irony, to describe something regarded as an excellent innovation.
He thinks his new gadget is the best thing since sliced bread.
He thinks his new gadget is the greatest invention ever.
57
actions speak louder than wordsproverbneutral
Used to say that what people do is more telling than what they say.
He keeps promising to help, but actions speak louder than words.
He keeps promising to help, but what he actually does matters more.
58
to jump the gunidiominformal
Used to describe acting too soon, before the right time or before all the facts are known.
Don't jump the gun — wait until the results are official.
Don't act too soon — wait until the results are official.
59
to have bigger fish to fryidiominformal
Used to say that someone has more important things to do or concentrate on.
I can't worry about the seating plan — I've got bigger fish to fry.
I can't worry about the seating plan — I have more important things to deal with.
60
to call it a dayidiominformal
Used to say that it is time to stop working on something, for now or for good.
We've done enough for now — let's call it a day.
We've done enough for now — let's stop for today.
61
to be back to square oneidiominformal
Used to describe having to start again from the beginning after a failure or setback.
The deal fell through, so we're back to square one.
The deal fell through, so we have to start over from the beginning.
62
to sit on the fenceidiominformal
Used to describe avoiding making a decision or taking sides in a dispute.
You can't sit on the fence forever — you have to choose.
You can't avoid deciding forever — you have to choose.
63
the proof of the pudding is in the eatingproverbneutral
Used to say that the real value or quality of something can only be judged by trying or experiencing it.
The plan sounds great on paper, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The plan sounds great on paper, but it can only be judged by the results.
64
to be left in the lurchidiomneutral
Used to describe being abandoned in a difficult situation, especially when help was expected.
When two staff quit at once, I was left in the lurch.
When two staff quit at once, I was abandoned to cope alone.
65
to nip something in the budidiomneutral
Used to describe stopping a problem at an early stage before it can develop.
We need to nip this rumour in the bud before it spreads.
We need to stop this rumour early before it spreads.
66
to put all your eggs in one basketidiomneutral
Used to warn against risking everything on a single venture or option.
Apply to several universities — don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Apply to several universities — don't rely on a single option.
67
to be raining cats and dogsidiominformal
Used to describe very heavy rain. Somewhat dated but still widely understood and used informally.
We can't go out now — it's raining cats and dogs.
We can't go out now — it's pouring with rain.
68
to face the musicidiominformal
Used to describe accepting the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
He skipped class all term and now has to face the music.
He skipped class all term and now has to accept the consequences.
69
to be in the same boatidiominformal
Used to describe being in the same difficult situation as others.
Don't feel bad about the debt — we're all in the same boat.
Don't feel bad about the debt — we're all in the same difficult situation.
70
to keep something at arm's lengthidiomneutral
Used to describe deliberately keeping a distance from someone or something to avoid involvement.
She keeps her colleagues at arm's length outside of work.
She keeps a deliberate distance from her colleagues outside of work.
71
bite the bulletidiomneutralinformal
Used when someone forces themselves to do something unpleasant or difficult that they have been avoiding.
I'd been dreading the dentist for months, but I finally bit the bullet and booked an appointment.
I'd been dreading the dentist for months, but I finally forced myself to do it and booked an appointment.
72
the whole nine yardsidiominformalchiefly American
Used to mean everything, the full extent, all of it.
For the wedding they went the whole nine yards — band, fireworks, the works.
For the wedding they went all out — band, fireworks, the works.
73
a storm in a teacupidiominformalchiefly British
Describes a great deal of fuss or anger about a trivial matter. Chiefly British.
The whole argument was just a storm in a teacup; they made up an hour later.
The whole argument was just a fuss over nothing; they made up an hour later.
74
to take something with a pinch of saltidiomneutralBritish English
Used to advise treating information with skepticism or not believing it completely. British variant of 'grain of salt'.
He tends to exaggerate, so take his stories with a pinch of salt.
He tends to exaggerate, so don't believe his stories completely.
75
to get the wrong end of the stickidiominformalchiefly British
Used when someone misunderstands a situation or what someone meant. Chiefly British.
I think you've got the wrong end of the stick — I wasn't criticising you.
I think you've misunderstood — I wasn't criticising you.
76
to be on thin iceidiominformal
Used to describe being in a risky or precarious situation, often where further mistakes will have consequences.
After missing three deadlines, he's on thin ice with the boss.
After missing three deadlines, he's in a precarious position with the boss.
77
to be the apple of someone's eyeidiomneutral
Used to describe a person who is cherished above all others.
His youngest daughter is the apple of his eye.
His youngest daughter is the one he cherishes most.
78
to be a dime a dozenidiominformalchiefly American
Used to say that something is very common and therefore of little value. Chiefly American but widely understood.
Apps like that are a dime a dozen these days.
Apps like that are extremely common these days.
79
to be a wolf in sheep's clothingidiomneutral
Used to describe someone who appears harmless or friendly but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
He seems charming, but he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
He seems charming, but he's a dangerous person hiding behind a friendly front.
80
to cost the earthidiominformalchiefly British
Used to say that something is extremely expensive. Chiefly British.
Eating well doesn't have to cost the earth.
Eating well doesn't have to be extremely expensive.
81
to beat about the bushverb phraseneutralBritish English
British English variant of the idiom meaning to avoid talking about something directly.
Stop beating about the bush and tell me what actually happened.
Stop avoiding the point and tell me what actually happened.
82
to take something with a grain of saltverb phraseneutralAmerican English
American English variant of the idiom meaning to treat something with skepticism rather than believing it fully.
I'd take that rumor with a grain of salt until it's officially confirmed.
I'd treat that rumor skeptically until it's officially confirmed.
83
a tempest in a teapotnoun phraseneutralAmerican English
American English variant of the idiom for a lot of unnecessary fuss about something trivial.
The whole argument turned out to be a tempest in a teapot.
The whole argument turned out to be a lot of fuss over nothing.
84
to be ten a pennyverb phraseinformalBritish English
British English variant of the idiom meaning very common and of little value because so plentiful.
Cafés like this one are ten a penny in the city centre.
Cafés like this one are extremely common in the city centre.
85
to cry over spilled milkverb phraseneutralAmerican English
American English spelling variant of the idiom meaning to waste time regretting something that cannot be undone.
The deal fell through, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.
The deal fell through, but there's no use regretting what can't be changed.

Learn anywhere, even offline

Download decks to your phone and practice without internet. Perfect for commutes, flights, or anywhere with spotty connection.

App Store Google Play

Idioms are where a language comes alive – and where learners often get left behind. This pack pulls back the curtain on the fixed expressions, proverbs and figurative phrases native speakers reach for without thinking. Taking your English past the literal, it helps you catch the real meaning behind an everyday phrase and drop the right one into a conversation yourself.